Dorothy A Troy

She was born and raised in the anthracite coal town of Frackville, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Matthew and Helen Katinowsky. After graduating from Frackville High School, Dorothy traveled to New York City to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse at the esteemed Bellevue School of Nursing. During her training she was part of the Cadet Nurse Corps, a World War II-era program designed to address the critical shortage of nurses, graduating as an R.N.

After the war, Dorothy was working as a nurse when she met and married William G. Troy, a veteran and ex-POW still serving in the Army. Dorothy accompanied her husband to various postings at home and abroad, welcoming four daughters along the way. The young Troy family lived at Ft. Myer, Virginia, in an area that became part of Arlington National Cemetery. Upon Bill’s retirement from the Army, the family settled in Falls Church, Virginia.

During the family’s transition to civilian life, Dorothy went back to work full time, yet still found time to volunteer with the Girl Scouts and local schools. She and Bill could be counted on to attend their children’s concerts, performances, and other school-related activities.

Once fully retired, Dorothy and Bill enjoyed traveling and participating in the activities of the numerous veterans organizations to which they belonged, particularly the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor and the American Ex-POWs. The Gold Star Wives warmly welcomed Dorothy after Bill’s passing. She surprised and amused her family as she enthusiastically accepted Rolling Thunder’s invitation to the Gold Star Wives to ride around the Mall in Washington, DC, on the backs of their motorcycles on several Memorial Day weekends.

Dorothy and Bill joyfully welcomed six grandchildren and enjoyed time with the newest members of their family. After Bill’s passing, Dorothy delighted in watching her grandchildren grow up, and remained deeply involved in their lives. As she and Bill had done for their children, she regularly attended their performances and other activities. Dorothy especially enjoyed portraying Mrs. Santa Claus at the annual Tiny Tots Holiday Programs at James Madison High School for many years. As the grandchildren grew up and started their own families, Dorothy happily welcomed six great-grandchildren into her fold.

Dorothy and Bill always focused on their family. They were determined to provide their daughters with advantages and opportunities that they had never had, and they worked hard to ensure each would have a college education. Through their examples and encouragement, they instilled in their daughters a lifelong love of learning.

Dorothy was proud of her Lithuanian heritage, and considered her children and her training at Bellevue to be her greatest achievements. She was the heart of the family, an inspiration, and a model of perseverance as she faced and overcame significant challenges throughout her life. Although we feel her loss deeply, her example of love, determination, and grit lives on in her descendants.

Dorothy will be buried with her husband Bill in Arlington National Cemetery, near the ancient, grand oak trees where their children played happily, long ago.

Visitation at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 W. Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046 Tuesday, July 8, 4 pm – 8 pm

Funeral Mass at St. James Catholic Church, 905 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046 Wednesday, July 9, 10 am

Private burial in Arlington National Cemetery Thursday, July 10